The Lord in his Providence has lead each of you along a path to communion. For some of you, the path has been long and even difficult. But on pilgrimage to Rome, we are reminded that these journeys of faith are like jewels with which the Lord adorns his bride the Church.

According to tradition, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter marks the anniversary of the day when St. Peter, having borne witness to the divinity of Christ, was appointed by Our Lord to be the rock of his Church.